Sole-pressing machine.



E. N. PEBBLE.

SOLE PRESSING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 33120.7. 1910.

1,098,401, Patented June 2, 1914.

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SOLE PRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. v, 1910.

Patented June 2, 1914.

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SOLE PRESSING MACHINE.

Q g m Jnwenibr gw/km UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN N. PREBLE, 013 BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SOLE-PBJESSING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1914.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, EDWlN N. PREBLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massaclmsetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sole-Pressing Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to sole pressing machines, and is intended primarily for use in machines which are adapted to mold the soles before they are incorporated in a shoe, although certain features of the invention may be used with advantage in other forms of sole pressing machines.

Sole pressing machines as usually c011- structed are provided with two sets of forms which are so actuated that the molds of one set are held in a position which allows a sole to be removed therefrom and another sole to be applied thereto, while the forms of the other set are held in position to apply pressure to the sole placed between them. In shifting the sets of molds alternately from one position to the other the machine is started, therefore, while one set of forms is applying a heavy molding pressure to a sole, with the result that a severe strain is frequently put upon the actuating mechanism, causing undue Wear or injury thereto.

One of the objects of the invention is to avoid this strain upon the actuating mechanism and thus enable the machine to be run with less power and without danger of injury to the actuating mechanism.

To this end one feature of the invention ontemplates the provision of means for relieving the pressure between the sole pressing molds preparatory to starting the actuating mechanism. In order that the pressure may be relieved without requiring any attention or additional manipulation on the part of the operator, it is preferred to so connect the pressure releasing mechanism that the pressure is released in starting the machine.

Further objects of the invention are to provide novel and improved sole gaging and sole gripping devices for positioning the sole between the molds and holding it from displacement during the action of the molds;

to provide novel means enabling the operator to stop the machine at any time during its operation; and to improve and simplify the means for regulating the final molding pressure which is applied to the sole. 7

The various features of the invention will be readily understood from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the machine illustrated therein.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of a sole molding machine embodying the invention in its preferred form; F ig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine looking toward. the left in F 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the lower molds, showing the construction of the sole gaging and gripping devices; Fig. i is an end view looking toward the right in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the sole locating and gripping devices, and the means for actuating the sole gripping devlce.

Inthe drawings the invention is shown as embodied in a machine which is similar in general construction and mode of operation to the machine shown and described in the patent to Mayo, No. 859,887, dated July 9, 1907, to which reference may be had for a full disclosure of those parts of the machine which are but briefly referred to herein.

In the machine shown the upper forms 1 are mounted on vertically movable carriers 2, while the lower forms 3 are mounted upon form carriers 4: and 5 supported upon a vertically reciprocating cross-head 6. The cross-head is actuated through toggle links 7 connected by an eccentric link and strap 8 with an eccentric wnich is secured to a shaft 9. During each rcci n'ocation of the crosshead one of the lower forms 3 is brought into alinement with the coiiperating upper form 1 and is forced upward against the form, wnile the other mold 3 is moved into a position of presentation in front of and between the upper forms. The devices for thus moving the lower forms consist of T shaped arms 10 and 11 which are mounted upon the cross-head and support the form carriers 4: and 5, the rear arm 10 being secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 12, the lower end of which carries an arm 13 operated. upon by a cam secured to the shaft 9, more fully disclosed in the patent above referred to.

In molding a sole, one of the lower forms is moved toward its cooperating upper form to exert first a preliminary pressure upon the sole sufficient to cause the sole to con form to the shape of the forms, and to thereafter exert a final pressure sufficient to mold the sole, l Vhile the preliminary pressure is being applied the form carrier 2 moves upward, and while the final pressure is being applied the form carrier 2 is held or locked against vertical movement. To enable the proper amount of pressure to be exerted upon the sole regardless of its thickness, a fluid pressure mechanism is provided which acts to permit the form carrier 2 to move upward varying distances depending upon the thickness of the sole being operated upon, and which then locks the form carrier against further upward movement. This fluid pressure mechanism is the same in construction as the fluid pressure mechanism of the patent above referred to, and is controlled by a valve 1% which is operated to allow the fluid in the cylinder 15 to escape during the first part of the upward movement of the lower form, and is closed to prevent further escape of the lluid at a predetermined point in the upward movement of the lower form, as more fully explained in the patent above referred to. The valves let are actuated through bell crank levers 16 which are connected to the valve rods and to arms 17 secured on a rock shaft 18. The rock shaft is provided with another arm 19 to which the upper end of a vertically mov- 'able rod 20 is pivotally connected. The lower end of the rod is connected to a spring 21 which tends to move the rod in a direction to open the valve 1 1. The rod 20 is actuated to close the valve during the upward movement of the cross-head 6, and thus lock the upper form against further vertical movement when the cross-head has reached a. predetermined position, by means of a sleeve 22 carried by the cross-head and arranged to engage a pin 23 projecting from the rod. This construction forms one means of controlling the pressure through the vertical movement of the lower form, and in sures the accurate timing of the pressure controlling devices, and the application of uniform pressure to the di ferent soles.

The shaft 9 through which the cross-head 6 is reciprocated is driven from a power shaft 24: which is in turn driven through a clutch 25. The clutch is engaged by the op erator in starting the machine, and is automatically disengaged to throw the machine out of operation after the shaft 9 has made a complete revolution. In the construction shown the driving clutch is engaged by the operator through. a treadle 26 connected by a link 27 to an arm 28 wich projects from a rock shaft 29. The rock shaft is provided with a second arm 30, the upper end of which engages a grooved collar on the driven member of the clutch 25. The clutch is held in engagement after the treadle 2G is released through a lever 31, the free end of which carries a roll engaging a cam disk 32 on the shaft 9. The lever 31 is connected with the arm 28 by a. link 33, the lower end of which is pivoted to the arm, and the upper end of which is pivoted to a block 34; which engages the upper side of the lever 31. The cam disk 32 is pro ided with a notch in its periphery in which the roll on the end of the lever 31 rests when the machine is out of operation. lVhen the treadle 26 is depressed to start the machine the link 33 is raised, and as the shaft 9 revolves the lever 31 is raised by the cam disk 32 and by enga ing the block 34 holds the clutch 25 in engagement until the shaft 9 has made a complete revolution. The roll on the end of the lever then drops into the notch, and the clutch 25 is disengaged, thus throwing the machine out of operation. In order that the operator may stop the machine at will after it has been started, in case he desires to do so, as for instance to avoid injury to a misplaced sole, the block 34: is so constructed that it may be thrown into a position to allow the clutch to be disengaged while the end of the lever 31 still rides upon the high part of the cam disk 32. As shown, the block 34: is pivoted on the upper end of the link 33, and is so shaped that after it is swung toward the right in Fig. 2 the link 33 will be allowed to move downward, thus releasing the clutch 25 so that it be disengaged by the spring The block is provided with an upwardly extending arm 36 through which sutlicient leverage is provided for enabling the block L0 be readily swung into position to release the clutch by a kick or blow on the arm.

The notch in the cam disk 32 is so located that the machine should be thrown out of operation when the toggle links 7 are straightened, and one of the lower forms is forced against the upper form *ith a heavy molding pressure. Owing to variations in the action of the clutch or other part of the stopping mechanism, the machine may be stopped before the toggle links are completely straightened. In such case when the machine is started the actuating mechanism must not only overcome the inertia of the parts, but must complete the straightening of the toggle while the molds a-e still applying a molding pressure to the sole. his puts a heavy strain upon the actuating mechanism, so that the mechanism is sub jected to undue wear and is liable to be injured. To avoid this, means is provided for relieving the pressure between the active forms preparatory to starting the machine. In the construction shown this means comprises devices connected with the sleeve 22 through which the sleeve may be actuated to release the valve operating rod 20. As shown, the sleeve 22 is connected with the cross-head 6 by means of toggle links 37 which are normally held in position to support the sleeve 22 by a spring 38. The spring 38 surrounds a rod 39, one end of which is guided in a support 40 on the cross head, and the other end of which is con nected to one of the links of the toggle 37. The stop screw 41 is secured in the toggle links, and is arranged to engage the rod 20 when the toggle is in normal position. So long as the toggle 37 is held in normal position by the spring 38, the sleeve 22 is held in fixed position with relation to the cross-head 6, and will operate through the rod 20 and connecting devices to hold the valves 14 closed. The valves may be opened to allow the escape of fluid from the cylinder 15, and thus release the pressure between the active forms, by breaking the toggle 37 so that the sleeve 22 may move downward with relation to the cross-head 6. In the construction shown the means for breaking the toggle 37 comprises a bar 42 one end of which is provided with a hook 43 for engaging the block 41, and the other end of which is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 44. The bell crank lever is pivoted upon the frame of the ma chine and is connected by a link 45 with the treadle 26, so that the bar 42 will be actuated to break the toggle 37 and thus release the pressure between the active molds when the operator depresses the treadle 26 in starting the machine. The pressure will thus be released before the clutch 25 is engaged, and there will be no strain or wear upon the actuating mechanism, due to heavy pressure between the molds. lVhen the cross-head moves downward, the hook 43 continues to engage the block 41 until the bar 42 rests upon a stop pin 46, when the downward movement of the bar is arrested, and continued downward movement of the block 41 with the cross-head 4 disengagcs the block from the hooked end of the bar. When this takes place the spring 38 immediately straightens the toggle 37, returning the sleeve 22 to normal position upon the head so that it will actuate the valve 1.4 at the proper time during the upward movement of the cross-head. When the machine stops the treadle rises, and the bar 42 is moved toward the right in Fig. 2. At this time the hooked end 43 of the bar rides over the block 41, and the hook at the end of the bar reengages the block preparatory to releasing the pressure between the active molds when the machine is again started.

In order that the soles to be molded may be conveniently and accurately positioned upon the lower mold when in its position of presentation, and may be held in position on the mold while being shaped between the lower and upper molds, each carrier for the lower mold is provided with sole locating and sole gripping devices. These devices are supported upon carrierbloeks 47 which are detachably secured to the rear ends of the mold carriers 4 and 5 so that they may be readily detached in case it is desired to use the machine without the sole locating and sole gripping devices. As shown, the carrier block 47 is arranged to rest upon the upper surface of the mold carrier and with its forward end within a slot formed in the rear end of the lower mold 3. The block is provided with a depending flange or plate 48 which is provided with a conical hole 49 adapted to fit over the end of a screw stud 50 projecting from the rear end of the mold carrier, and is also provided with a slot 51 adapted to pass over the head of a locking bolt 52. When the head of the locking bolt is turned to register with the slot 51, the carrier block may be readily removed or applied to the end of the mold carrier. After the carrier block is placed in position it may be securely locked by merely turning the head of the bolt so that it overlies the plate on opposite sides of the slot, as indicated in Fig. 4. The sole gripping device comprises a fixed jaw 53 secured in the front end of the carrier block, and a movable jaw 54 formed on the front end of a gripper lever 55 which is pivotally supported between arms 56 on the carrier block. The lever 55 is forced in a direction to close the sole gripping jaws by a spring 57 arranged to engage the lower end of an arm 58 which projects downward from the rear end of the lever The spring is carried upon a rod 59 which is secured in a lug 60 at the rear end of the carrier block. The rod 59 extends forward within a recess in the mold carrier and is provided at its forward end with nuts 61 for engaging the front end of the spring 5 and regulating its tension.

The sole locating device consists of gages (32 for engaging opposite sides of the heel end of the sole and determining its position with relation to the mold. These gages are formed on the front end of an arm (53 pivotally supported upon a sleeve (34 which is mounted to slide upon a rod (35 supported on the carrier block. The gage may be adjusted vertically about its pivot, and is held in adjusted position by a spring pressed latching bolt 66 the V-shaped end of which engages a toothed segment 67 on the gage arm 63. The sleeve (34 is connected to a rod 68 which extends forward to the front part of the mold carrier, and is connected with devices through which it may be conveniently actuated to adjust the gages in accordance with the size of the sole to be operated upon.

When the lower mold is moved into position for presenting a sole thereto the upward movement of the cross-nead 6 brings a bearing plate 69 on the rear end of the gripper lever 55 into engagement with an actuating bar 70 mounted on the frame of the machine, and during the latter part of the upward movement of the cross-head the bar acts against the rear end of the gripper lever to open the aws of the gripper, as indicated in Fig. 5. The molded sole may now be conveniently removed by the operator, and a fresh sole placed in position upon the mold, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. In order that the sole placed upon the mold may be gripped so as to be held against displacement before motion is imparted to the mold upon the starting of the machine, means is provided through which the operator may actuate the bar 70 to release the gripper arm 55. In order that this may be done without requiring the attention of the operator, or additional manipulation on his part, the actuating devices are connected with the starting treadle. In the construction shown these devices comprise a bar 71 pivotally connected at its forward end with the bell crank lever 4 1 of the pressure releasing mechanism, and having its rear end supported in a guideway 72 formed in the bracket 73 which supports the gripper actuating bar 70. The bar 70 is carried at the lower end of an arm 74: which is secured upon a rock shaft 75 and is held in normal position by a spring 76. The normal position of the bar 70 is determined by an adjustable stop screw 77 carried by an arm 78 secured to the rock shaft 75 and held in engagement with the bracket 73 by the spring 76. ()ne end of the rock shaft 75 is provided with an arm 79, the upper end of which is adapted to engage a notch formed in the under side of the bar 71, as indicated in Fig. 5.

When the starting lever is depressed the bar 71 is moved toward the right in Fig. 5, and through the arm 79 rocks the shaft 7 5 to disengage the bar '70 from the gripper lever 55. The gripper lever is immediately actuated by the spring 57 to grip the sole and hold it in position upon the mold. During the forward movement of the bar 71 the arm 79 swings downward until its upper end frees itself from the notch 80, when the rock shaft 75 and bar 70 are immediately returned to normal position by the spring 76, the end of the arm 7 9 riding along the under side of the bar 71 and raising the bar against the action of a leaf spring 81. If the crosshead 6 is not moved downward far enough to carry the rear end of the lever 55 below the bar 70 when the bar is released, the bar will ride against the rear end of the lever until the rear end of the lever passes below the bar, when the bar will return to normal position, as above described. When the machine stops and the starting treadle rises, the

,of the invention, and specifically described one form of mechanism in which it may be embodied, what I claim is l. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, sole pressing forms, a toggle for advancing and retracting one of the forms, actuating mechanism for the toggle, means for stopping the actuating mechanism when the toggle reaches sole pressing position, and means for releasing the pressure between the forms preparatory to starting the actuating mechanism, substantially as described.

2. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, sole pressing forms, a rotary driver and connecting mechanism for relatively actuating such forms to apply pressure to a sole, means for stopping the rotary driver in sole pressing position, and means for releasing the pressure between the forms preparatory to starting the actuating mechanism, substantially as described.

8. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, sole pressing forms, mechanism for relatively actuating such forms to apply pressure to a sole, starting mechanism, and means other than the actuating mechanism for releasing the pressure between the forms connected with the starting mechanism, substantially as described.

4. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, two sole pressing forms, two forms cooperating respectively therewith, mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to alternately apply pressure to soles, means for stopping the actuating mechanism with one set of forms in position to act upon a sole, starting mechanism, and means other than the actuating mechanism for releasing the pressure between the active forms connected with the starting mechanism, substantially as described.

5. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, mechanism for actuating the forms to apply pressure to the sole, fluid pressure.

mechanism acting to lock one of the forms against movement while pressure is being applied to the sole, and means other than the actuating mechanism for releasing the fluid pressure, substantially as described.

6. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, means for actuating said forms to apply pressure to a sole, a pressure chamber and piston associated with one of said forms arranged to control the movement of said form, a passageway leading from the pressure chamber, a valve for opening and closing said passageway, and means for actuating the valve to close the passageway by the movement of one of the forms, sub stantially as described.

7. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, means for actuating said terms to apply presure to a sole, a pressure chamber and piston associated with one of said forms arranged to control the movement or said form, a passageway leading from the pressure chamber, a valve for opening and closing said passageway, means for actuating the valve to close the passageway during the application of pressure to the sole, and means for opening the valve preparatory to starting the actuating mechanism, substantially as described.

8. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, a yieldingly mounted form, a cooperating term, means for moving the cooperating form toward the yielding form to apply pressure to a sole, a pressure chamber and piston associated with the yielding form arranged to control the movement oi? said term, a passageway leading from the pressure chamber, a valve for opening and closing said passageway, means for actuating the valve to close the passageway at a predetermined point in the movement of the cooperating form, and means for opening the valve preparatory to starting the actuating mechanism, substantially as described.

9. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, mechanism for actuating the forms to apply pressure to a sole, starting mechanism, mechanism for retaining the actuating mechanism in action and for stopping it with the forms in sole pressing relation, and means under the control of the operator for rendering the retaining mechanism inactive, substantially as described.

10. A sole pressing machine. having, in combination, upper and lower forms, mechanism for actuating the forms to produce pressure or clearance and for moving the lower form to a position of presentation out of alinement with the upper form, sole gripping jaws for holding a sole on the lower form, and means for opening the gripper jaws by the vertical movement of the lower form into the position of presentation, substantially as described.

11. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, upper and lower forms, mechanism for vertically reciprocating the lower form while maintaining its sole engaging sur face facing upward to produce pressure or clearance a sole gripping device mounted in fixed position with relation to the lower term, and means for opening the gripper by the vertical movement of the gripping rte device and term, substantially as described 12fL sole pressing machine, having, in combination, upper and lower terms, mechanism for vertically reciprocating he lower form to produce pressure or clearance and for moving the lower form to the position of presentation out of alinement with the upper form, a sole gripping device mounted in fixed position with relation to the lower term, and an operating bar for opening the gripper arranged to be engaged with the gripping device by the vertical movement of the form and gripping device into the position of presentation, substantially as described.

13. A sole messing machine, having, in combination, upper and lower forms, mech anism for vertically reciprocating the lower form to produce pressure or clearance and for moving the lower form to a position of presentation out of alinementwith the upper form, a sole gripping device mounted in fixed position with relation to the lower form, an operating bar mounted in fixed position ant, arranged to be engaged with the gripping device by the vertical. movement of the lower form and gripping device into the position of 3resen+ation, and means controlled by the operator for operating the bar to allow the closing of the gripper, substan tially as described.

14. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, two sets oft upper and lower forms, mechanism for actuating said forms to produce pressure or clearance and for alternately moving the lower forms into a position of presentation out of alinement with the cooperating upper term, sole gripping jaws for holding the soles on the lower forms, means acting to automatically open the gripping device as the lower i'orm reaches its position of presentation, means for closing the gripping device, means for releasing the pressure between the active molds, and a starting mechanism connected to operate the pressure releasing means and the means for closing the gripper, substantially as described.

15. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, upper and lower forms, mechanism for vertically reciprocating the lower form and for alternately moving it into alinement with the upper form and into a position oil presentation, a gripper :t'or holding a sole on the lower form, an actuating bar arranged to open the gripper'loy the ver' tical movement of the form and gripper, and a starting mechanism connected to actuate the bar to close the gripper, substantially as described.

16. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, upper and lower solepressing forms, a carrier for the lower form, a car rier block, a heel and a sole gripping device mounted on the carrier block, a stud and locking bolt on the of the form carrier, and a flange on the carrier block provided with a hole and a slot arranged to pass over the stud and head of the locking bo-lt respectively, substantially as described.

17. A sole pressing machine, having in combination, sole pressing forms, toggle mechanism for relatively actuating the forms, a rotary driver for the toggle mechanism, means for stopping the driver with the toggle in sole pressing position and means for releasing the pressure between the forms when in sole pressing relation preparatory to starting the actuating mechanism, substantially as described.

18. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, sole pressing forms, mechanism for forcing the forms together, means for stopping said mechanism in sole pressing position, and means for releasing the pressure between the forms preparatory to starting said mechanism, substantially as described.

19. A sole pressing machine, having, in combination, sole pressing forms, mechanism for actuating the forms to apply pressure to the sole including a rotary eccentric, means for stopping the eccentric in sole pressing position, and means for releasing the pressure between the forms preparatory to starting the eccentric, substantially as described.

EDWIN N. PREBLE.

Witnesses:

Nn'rrm D. MOPHAJL, WARREN G. OGDEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

